LG should direct action against `mandi mafias`: BJP

New Delhi: A day after 26 ration shops were raided following an order of LG Najeeb Jung, BJP on Friday urged him to take action against alleged "mafias" operating in vegetable and fruits markets across Delhi.

"LG should also issue orders to raid all the vegetable and fruits mandies because with the connivance of mandi mafias and government officials, fruits and vegetable are being sold at five times higher prices than the wholesale market rates," Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan said.

He claimed that corruption in the scheme to provide cheap ration to the poor during the 15 years of Congress rule in Delhi was exposed when 19 teams of officials raided 26 ration outlets yesterday.

The BJP leader also demanded that license for running shops under food security scheme should be issued only to those unemployed persons who are registered in employment exchange as it can provide employment to 20,000 unemployed youth.

"LG should also issue orders to start preparing ration cards for the people because ration cards are not being issued for the last few months," he also said.

The BJP leader said that there are 73 lakh people under food security scheme. "LG should inform the people when they shall be provided cheap ration, sugar etc. Under this scheme," he said.